Native Forest Bee Habitat Restoration at Great Mountain Forest
Volunteers can support native bee habitat and contribute to ongoing scientific research during a native-species planting event at Great Mountain Forest in Norfolk. The hands-on workday is part of a five-year study examining how healthier, more diverse forests and restored understory habitats can support native bee populations.
The volunteer event will take place on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, with a rain date of Thursday, October 1. Participants can choose between a two-hour shift from 10 am to noon or a four-hour shift from 10 am to 2 pm. Participation is limited to approximately 10 volunteers, and registration is required. All participants must sign a Xerces Society volunteer waiver.
Tools and gloves will be provided. Volunteers should wear boots and long pants and bring bug spray, drinking water and snacks or lunch. Each planting will contribute to efforts to restore locally sourced native plant species and provide additional spring food sources for forest bees.
The project is led by the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation and Professor Katie Turo’s lab at Fordham University. Great Mountain Forest is one of several Northeast sites participating in the study, which will monitor plant establishment and bee activity over five years.
To reserve a spot, register at https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/aphasak. For more information, contact Mike Zarfos, Executive Director of Great Mountain Forest, at 860-824-8188 or mike@greatmountainforest.org.
